The Bedford Buccaneer
August 5, 2024
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026
Previous Issue of the Bedford Buccaneer
IMPORTANT DATES
- Thursday, January 8: National Honor Society Induction
- Monday, January 19: No School (MLK Jr. Day)
- Tuesday, January 20: Principal's Advisory Council Meeting
- Friday, January 23: End Term 2
- Thursday, January 29: History Fair
- Thursday, February 5: Class of 2027 Postsecondary College Kickoff
- Wednesday, February 11: Vertical Chorus Concert
- Friday, February 13: Principal Advisory Council Meeting
- Monday, February 16 - Friday, February 20: Mid-Winter Break
- Thursday, March 11 - Saturday, March 13: Footloose, spring musical
- Tuesday, March 17 - Vertical Band Concert
- Wednesday, March 18 - Career Pathways Day / Vertical String Concert
- Friday, March 20 - Professional Development Day (no school for students)
- Tuesday, March 24 & Wednesday, March 25: ELA MCAS (delayed start)
- Monday, April 6: End Term 3
- Monday, April 20 - Friday, April 24: Spring Break
- Tuesday, April 28: Poetry Slam
- Thursday, April 30: Playwrights Festival
- Thursday, May 7: Chorus Concert
- Tuesday, May 12: Band/Orchestra Concert
- Wednesday, May 19 & Thursday, May 20: Math MCAS (delayed start)
- Thursday, May 21: Junior Prom
- Thursday, May 28: Senior Prom & Prom Stroll
- Tuesday, June 2 & Wednesday, June 3: Science MCAS (regular start)
- Monday, June 8: Underclassmen Awards Ceremony
- Tuesday, June 16: Last Day of School /End Term 4 (tentative)
The Lunch Menu can be found here.
The full Bedford High School calendar can be found here.
The Bedford Public School District calendar can be found here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome Back Community Reminders
Welcome back! We hope you enjoyed a restful holiday break. As we continue this year's theme of Back to Basics and Building Community, we would like to share a few important reminders.
School Start Time
School begins at 7:45 am. Students arriving after the bell, must report to the main office for a late pass. Teachers are asked to direct late-arriving students to the office before allowing them to enter class.
Entrances/Exits
After 7:45 am, students may only enter and exit through the main lobby doors. All other doors are closed to student use once school begins. Hallways and entrances are monitored by staff and cameras, and violations may result in detentions.
Early Dismissals
Parents/guardians must notify the main office by phone or email, preferably before 8:00 am if a student requires an early dismissal. Students can pick up their dismissal pass from the office in advance. To minimize disruptions to learning, classes will only be interrupted for emergency dismissals. Students may not leave the building without official dismissal through the main office.
Flex Block/Advisory
All students are required to attend Advisory, and all underclassmen (9th, 10th, and 11th graders) are required to attend Flex block. Students who have appointments with teachers or have signed up to visit the Library during Flex, must still report to their classroom at the start of the period for attendance, and present a pass to leave. Failure to attend either class, is considered a class cut and may result detention.
Substitute Coverage
There are no "free periods". Students are emailed information on where to report for any class that has a teacher absent. Attendance is taken in these classes, and students may not leave without a pass. Parents should not dismiss students early due to a teacher's absence. Assignments will be posted on Google Classroom.
Open Gym
There is no open gym during instructional time, including Flex and Advisory. Students may only use the back gym when it is actively supervised by a staff member.
Cell Phones
Phones must remain in classroom cubbies during class time. This includes times when students leave class with permission. Students found in the halls with phones will be escorted back to class to return their devices.
Student Parking
All student vehicles must have a valid 2025-26 parking permit, and park in designated student parking areas only.
These expectations help ensure a safe, organized, and respectful learning environment for everyone in our school community. Thank you for your continued cooperation and for the positive progress we've seen throughout the school year.
All Night Graduation Planning Meeting
Tuesday, January 6 @ 7:00 pm | BHS Library
The All Night Graduation Committee will hold its first planning meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 6 from 7:00 to 8:30 in the Bedford High School Library. We welcome parents and caregivers from every class to this meeting. Come learn about the greatest party of the year, and see how you can help.
RSVP to Dawn Kociubes and Leah Walton at BedfordANG@gmail.com.
Thank You Korean Bedford Residents Association
The Korean Bedford Residents Association spread some holiday cheer by delivering a thoughtful care basket to the office before winter break. This annual tradition is deeply appreciated and serves as a warm reminder of the strong community support we are fortunate to have.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES & FUNDRAISERS
Athletics This Week
Tuesday, January 6
Basketball, boys (V/JV/F) vs. Newton South
Basketball, girls (V/JV) @ Newton South
Swim & Dive (V) @ Newton South
Wednesday, January 7
Ice Hockey, boys (V) @ Cambridge
Ice Hockey, girls (V) vs Wayland/Weston
Swim & Dive (V) vs. Wayland
Track & Field (V) vs. Notre Dame Academy
Wrestling (V) vs. Newton South
Thursday, January 8
Alpine Skiing (V) @ Lincoln-Sudbury
Gymnastics (V) vs. Stoneham
Friday, January 9
Basketball, boys (V/JV/F) @ Lincoln-Sudbury
Basketball, girls (V/JV) vs. Lincoln-Sudbury
Saturday, January 10
Ice Hockey, boys (V) vs. Dracut
Ice Hockey, girls (V) vs. Waltham
Wrestling (V) @ Lynnfield/Bishop Fenwick/Saugus/Salem
Sunday, January 11
Basketball, boys (V/JF/F) @ Tewksbury
Register for Spring sports.
The Athletic Department schedules can be found here.
Seal of Biliteracy Information
Apply by March 1, 2026
To apply for the Seal of Biliteracy, students must complete this form: Seal of Biliteracy application by March 1, 2026. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Adam Bailey, World Languages Program Director, at π§adam_bailey@bedfordps.org or call π(781) 275-1700, x4522.
CLASS OF 2026
Information for the Senior Class and their Families
John & Abigail Adams and National Merit Scholarship Awards Breakfast
Friday, January 23 | 8:00 am | LGI
Invitations have been sent to award recipients and their families. Please make sure to RSVP by January 9. Details included with invitation.
Senior Awards Night
Wednesday, May 20
Last Day of Classes for Seniors
Friday, May 22
Bedford Dollars for Scholars Awards
Tuesday, May 26
Senior Prom
Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 4:15 pm - Stroll | 6:00 pm - Gibbet Hill
Tickets will go on sale in May. Students must complete the Handbook Acknowledgement before purchasing tickets. All prom guest forms must be turned into the office for approval by May 21.
Graduation
Rehearsal: Monday, June 1
Graduation: Thursday, June 4 | Tsongas Center, Lowell
All Night Graduation Party: Thursday, June 4 - Friday, June 5
COUNSELING CORNER
Community Mental Health Supports
If there is a mental health emergency, please call: πAdvocates Psychiatric Emergency Services (available 24 hours) at π(800) 640-5432, or Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline (available 24 hours) at π833-773-2445 (call or text), or Call π911.
Bedford Youth & Family Services
Check out the services available to BPS students and their families.Cartwheel
Families can now raise their hand directly for mental health support with Cartwheel β weβre here when you need us. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, having a hard time with back-to-school transitions, or needs someone to talk to, Cartwheel is here to help.
πhttps://www.cartwheel.org/district/bedford-public-schools
REMINDERS FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
Guidelines For When A Student Is Sick
Please keep your student home from school if any one of the following occurs:
- Vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours.
- Temperature of 100 degrees F or higher within the last 24 hours. Students with fevers may return to school after being fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication.
- Positive throat culture for strep. Students may return 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.
- Any symptoms of acute illness, such as a persistent cough, runny nose, and body aches.
Respiratory / COVID Guidelines
If Your Student Gets Sick at School, they should come to the health office to see the nurse. If your student calls a parent/guardian to be picked up and the student has not been evaluated in the health office, it will be considered a parent dismissal, and is not exempt.
Reporting Communicable Illnesses: Please report all communicable illnesses to the attendance line or contact the health office directly at π781-918-4416.
Questions? Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Reach out to Nurse Vaughan at: π781-275-1700-4416, or email π§bhsnurse@bedfordps.org